Location: Regina Catholic

Date: October 4, 2024

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

REGINA is back in familiar territory: undefeated and tied atop the Class 1A District 5 standings. They are using nearly balanced offensive output, and experience line play, as their calling card. Junior QB Kyle Tracy is replacing a guy (Gentry Dumont) who threw for over 4500 yards the past three seasons combined (including nearly 2400 last season). Through five games, he is not only holding the position down - he's doubling up on duties. He has thrown for 911 yards, with 11 TD, and has also rushed for an additional 295 and 5 scores. His 1206 total yards place his sixth in all of 1A. A pair of sophomores, RB Savion Miller and WR Tate Wallace, are a wonderful supporting cast. Miller leads the team with 461 rushing yards, while Wallace's 383 receiving yards leads in that category. Defensively, a blend of speed and aggression is the Regal M.O. Noah Clark and Roan Eckhoff are guys to watch out for. 

WEST BRANCH is in unfamiliar territory at 2-3 through five weeks. The first time the Bears have been in such a position since the 2001 season. Don't completely fret, WB fans, all hope is definitely not lost. At 1-1 in district play, the Bears need to find, at minimum, just one more win to be in great position to reach the postseason for 16th consecutive season (8th longest streak in Iowa). If it is to happen, it will be on the strong running feet of Junior RB Cooper Gates. His 387 rushing yards and 5 TD are both tops for West Branch. He averages over 7 yards each time he carries the ball. Strong defensive and special teams play have been the witch's brew of success for the Bears. In games in which WB holds teams to 13 points or less - and scored a special teams or defensive TD - the team is 2-0. That is a formula the visiting team is hoping it can mix up on the east side of Iowa City. Time will tell.

REPLACING AND SHOWING OUT As stated, QB Kyle Tracy is replacing one of the more prolific passers in Class 1A football history. His surgeon like precision and his fleet feet are a dangerous combo…no matter which classification the school takes on.

KEEP AN EYE ON I am giving credit to where the credit is truly due: in the trenches. #66 Aaron Colony anchors both sides of the Regal big guys up front. At 6'2" and 240 pounds, he's a tough ask for would be blockers and defenders..

THE OTHER 8 MILE That is the distance between these two schools. A healthy rivalry, both schools have seen a great deal of success at the highest level at one point in time. Between them, 10 state titles and two of the top 5 consecutive game winning streaks in state history.

WELCOME TO THE TABLE Dustin Elsbury of Regina and John Nestor of West Branch are both experiencing this week as the head coach for the first time. It's just the next game on the schedule, obviously. However, for this week – it's the biggest game on the slate.

Go Bears!!

Team Records & Rankings

Last Meeting

In 2023, West Branch defeated Regina Catholic 21-17 at the Little Rose Bowl. View more from that game.

Media & Broadcast Coverage

The BearCast will be streaming the game live (audio only) with Jason Miller and special guest John Hierseman. Listen to the game live on our Mixlr channel, starting around 6:40pm.

Regina's HUDL page will have streaming video of the game, but does require payment. You can learn more and watch on their HUDL page.

WestBranchFootball.com, The West Branch Times, Your Prep Sports, and the CR Gazette will be on site covering the game.